February 18, 2025 Speaker Night: The Dawn of the Digital Age
Join us for the Speaker Night
Monday, February 18, 2025
7 pm at the museum
Computer History Museum docent David Hoyt will present stories drawn from artifacts on display at the museum in Mountain View. He will take the audience on a journey following the evolution of the computer from the 1880s to the 1980s, from computers the size of houses to those that sat on desks in houses, and how the Valley of Heart’s Delight became Silicon Valley with computers available to anyone.
In addition to his work at the Computer History Museum (since 2015), Hoyt volunteers at the Tech Interactive and Tech Challenge. His father worked at IBM in the 1950s, and David grew up with computers. His love for technology prompted him to volunteer at the CHM, which attracts a lot of international visitors and the occasional “tech legend”.
Having earned both a degree in engineering and an MBA from Stanford, Hoyt worked in the analytical instrument industry, with both public companies and startups, and as a case writer for the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
His involvement with the CHM makes him a constant learner.
Gingerbread Village
The Gingerbread Village built entirely from Lego bricks will be a delight for the whole family!
Winter Teas
Winter Teas are Sold out.New Exhibit Case with Toy Collection
In the upstairs hallway, right in front of the Hendy timeline, visitors will spot a new exhibit: a glass case displaying vintage toys from the 1940s and 50s, mainly tin-type, including vehicles made of tin, a doll, a clock, pick-up sticks, stacking rings, and more! The glass case is a donation from Sunnyvale resident Barry Vickrey whose ancestors used it in their store.
Accompanying the Holiday exhibit, this case will feature vintage Lego models from the Bay Area Lego Users Group from early October through the Holidays.
New Kitchen Item: Dough Box
Visitors will find a new item in the kitchen display at the museum: a "dough box" from the early 1800s. These were used in big households to prepare the dough for bread and other baked goods. All the ingredients were mixed and kneaded in the trough, then the lid was shut for the dough to proof. Once the dough had risen, the baker could form loaves and transfer them to the oven to bake.
We are grateful for the donation of this tool from Mary Chapman, a Sunnyvale resident whose family had kept it for several generations.
